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Cleveland Browns: 3 Offensive tackles to watch at the NFL Combine

By Mitch Zoloty

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 19: Josh Jones #74 of the Houston Cougars in action during a game against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on September 19, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 19: Josh Jones #74 of the Houston Cougars in action during a game against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on September 19, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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ANNAPOLIS, MD – OCTOBER 20: Josh Jones #74 of the Houston Cougars in position during a college football game against the Navy Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MD – OCTOBER 20: Josh Jones #74 of the Houston Cougars in position during a college football game against the Navy Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Josh Jones. 1. player. 881. . Left Tackle. Cougars

Josh Jones is a potential first-round pick on this list and is a favorite among the analytic community. Right now he is projected to go in the late first round to the middle of the second round, depending on who you’re asking. A First-Team All-American offensive tackle on PFF’s All-American Team, Jones is projected to be a left tackle in the NFL, which is what he predominantly played in college. He was a three-season starter at Houston, starting a total of 36 football games for the Cougars.

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Jones was credited with only four pressures on 325 pass blocking snaps by PFF last season, which is incredibly efficiency. He was also only penalized twice last season, so adding a disciplined player like Jones to the Browns would be a nice change of pace.

The reason he is not heralded in the top tier of offensive tackles in this years draft to me seems to be his footwork and strength. Listed at 6’7 and 310lbs, he definitely has the size to be elite, if he truly does measure with those numbers at the combine. His bench rep test is going to be a huge testament to how high he gets drafted. A poor showing on the bench could prove detrimental to his draft stock.

Another drill to watch for him and all of these offensive tackles would be the 20 yard shuttle. Sometimes big offensive linemen like Jones use their size to dominate, and aren’t able to move their feet quickly and move laterally. His time in the 20 yard shuttle, along with everyone else on this list, will be huge for shooting up draft boards.

Jones’ hip flexibility will also be under question at the NFL combine, as sometimes he played too high at Houston. In today’s NFL with smaller pass rushers emerging like Von Miller and Olivier Vernon, having athletic offensive linemen is more important than having elite size.

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